Folklife shooter says he’s sorry innocent bystander struck

The suspected gunman who allegedly shot an innocent
bystander at the Folklife Festival in Seattle told police he was
“sorry that an innocent person got shot”, according to
charging documents released by the King County
Prosecutor’s Office.

William A. Diaz, 19, was ordered held in lieu of
$500,000 bail for investigation of assault by a King
County judge. According to a police report, Diaz
allegedly fired the shot that wounded an innocent
bystander near the Space Needle after he was hit in the
head by another young man with a skateboard.

Police found a .22-caliber revolver in his pocket after he
fled and was ultimately arrested inside the Center House.

According to the report, Diaz said he was walking alone
when he was approached by a stranger who asked him a
question then hit him with a skateboard after Diaz kept
walking. Diaz said he fired three or four times.

Ryan Burr, 33, was treated for a gunshot wound to
the leg and released from the hospital Saturday night.

Both Diaz and the man who allegedly assaulted him are gang members, according to police.